1 - Reflection on Previous I Search Experiences - Mon. April 7
1. What are some of the previous research projects you have done?

Bio board, oedipus Rex project, mythology project, environmental project,

2. Based on these projects, what does research mean to you?

To gather information from trusted sources.

3. Describe one of your research successes or failures. Why was the experience positive or negative?

My biography board was a successful research project. This experience was positive because I learned something good about an important person from this country.

2 - Reflection on Webbing Process - Tuesday, April 8
1. I think the webbing process helped/did not help me find a topic because:

It sparked my imagination and helped me get helpful ideas for the Spartan Empire.

3 - Why I Chose This Topic and What I Know About My Topic - Tuesday, April 8
1. Topic: The Spartan Empire
2. Why you chose it: I am interested in how this empire came to be and the times this empire had flourished
3. What you already know about your topic: Sparta is a country near Greece, and they had very good military strategies and warriors.

4 - Pre-Notetaking Activity - in class - Wednesday, April 9
1. Brainstorm a list of questions related to your topic.
What was life like in Sparta?
1. Where is Sparta geographically?
2. Who was the first ruler of Sparta?
3. What was the first weapon used in Spartan armies?
4. Were there any social classes in Sparta?
5. If so, what were they?
6. What were the occupations in Sparta?
7. What was the most idoled job?
8. When was Sparta founded?
9. Were there any major dynasties in Spartan history?
10. What form of government(s) did Sparta have?
11. Which of Sparta's opponents were most successful against them?
12. Were there any social classes within families?
13. What were some hobbies and games played?
14. What were some common Spartan names?
15. Did Sparta have a golden age?
16. If so, when and why were they successful during this time?
17. How did the development of Sparta influence surrounding empires?
18. How big was Sparta geographically?
19. Was Sparta ever involved in trading?
20. If so, with whom?
21. Was Sparta ever in any major wars?

5 - Reflections on Pre-Notetaking - for homework - Wednesday, April 9
1. Describe how the pre-notetaking sheet helped you find both focus for your topic and research questions to investigate. Did you find it easy or difficult to create a fat question from your ideas?

This sheet helped me because it got my mind racing and kept me on task. I didn't even get to list all of my ideas because it was racing so fast. I felt it was difficult to create this fat question as open-ended as possible, but once I stepped back and looked at my questions as a whole, it was a lot easier.

6 - Search Log - Thursday, April 10
1. What have I learned today?

The first king of Sparta; how Sparta was named; How classical Sparta rose; Sparta's first and biggest opponent, Persia.

2. What problems have I had?

I have had problems with reliable info. I am getting different info from different sites.

3. How will I overcome the problem(s)?

I am going to look into checking out a few books.

4. What will I do next?

I am going to go to the library and check out a book and see if the info I have so far matches that in the book.

7 - Search Log - Friday, April 11
1. What have I learned today?

How Sparta's government ran; their education and military training program; who introduced this program and the Spartan government;

2. What problems have I had?

Today, none.

3. How will I overcome the problem(s)?

I will stay on task and receive good info.

4. What will I do next?

I will continue my research.

8 - Search Log - Monday, April 14
1. What have I learned today?

Where Sparta was located; what the region was called that Sparta was in; how the name of the region related to the name on Sparta; their militar strategies; what a hoplite was' what a phalanx was;

2. What problems have I had?

Again, none.

3. How will I overcome the problem(s)?

No comment.

4. What will I do next?

Continue to gather info on my topic.